Wigan Warriors paid tribute to Sir Billy Boston on Thursday night, just days after the Welsh rugby league legend passed away at the age of 92.
One of rugby league's most prolific try-scorers, Boston died in his adopted home of Wigan earlier this week - just weeks after the passing of his wife, Lady Joan.
Stadium falls silent in tribute
Ahead of the club's Super League clash with champions Hull KR, the entirety of The Brick Community Stadium fell silent as part of a lengthy tribute to the man who last year received the sport's first knighthood.
Almost the entirety of Sky Sports' half-hour coverage was dedicated to Boston, beginning with a montage of clips set to Abide With Me.
CEO remembers a 'gentle giant'
Former Wigan full-back and current club CEO Kris Radlinski then paid tribute to Boston, describing him as the Pele of rugby league.
"The rumour is it was about £3,000," said Radlinski when talking about the deal to bring Boston from Wales as a 19-year-old. "It's certainly the best investment we ever made. What followed, you'll never put a price on that.
"I believe his mum had to twist his arm to go, long before agents in rugby league, and he ended up in this beautiful place."
Radlinski also revealed that the club were planning on retiring the seats of both Boston and his wife at the ground.
"Some of the best memories this stadium has had in recent weeks is looking up at those two seats, seeing Joan give Billy a nudge and making sure he's still smiling at the screen, still telling him off, and lighting up the stadium," he added. "I think we'll be retiring those seats and no one will ever sit in them again. We'll make sure we celebrate them in the right way."
He described Boston as a "gentle giant and a true champion of our sport", adding: "We truly loved him."
Former team-mates pay their respects
Former Leeds second-row Jamie Jones-Buchanan and ex-St Helens player Jon Wilkin also paid tribute, before Colin Clark, Boston's former team-mate and friend, spoke about the Welshman.
"I feel privileged," said Clark. "I was at Billy's first game. I also feel very privileged that 10 years after that I was his team-mate. But the best thing is that I was privileged to be his friend."
As part of the build-up, the coaches of both clubs - Wigan's Matt Peet and Hull's Willie Peters - spoke glowingly about Boston, before a giant banner of the former winger in his iconic '2' jersey was brought onto the pitch.
The throne that he sat in after receiving his knighthood last year was also placed on the pitch, with his son, Stephen, laying a Wigan jersey on it.
After Sean Ruane sang Jerusalem, a minute's silence was perfectly observed ahead of Wigan's 46-0 win. The club's sponsor on the front of their jersey was also changed to read 'Billy'.
